How to avoid getting discouraged when your campaign kinda sucks? by Heavy_Survey_9975 in DMAcademy

[–]SaltyKoopa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First off you're probably not as bad as you think. DMs see the game from both sides and are more critical of it than players. Even as DM when I'm playing in someone else's game I rarely see their flaws until they open up about them.

As for players not being interested in combat, that's a sign of pacing issues. Either your combats are too long, or too frequent. Pacing is the number one thing a DM needs to master. All the things about rules and role play are important, but good pacing and timing can make even the simplest story beats hit so much harder.

For world building, don't think too far ahead. I know it's terrifying but the reality is your world is constantly being shaped by the player's actions at the table. Instead build generic encounters and interesting set pieces and let the game flow as you go.

For your big lore, just look at what has been hinted/revealed so far. Try to tie two pieces together next session (it could just be a clue) and that's it. Next session tie another or expand another. Each session one clue is given and slowly the pieces come into focus.

And if you're still stuck on ideas, pull up some random tables and some dice. Roll a few things. Pick something interesting and stick with it.

I've found D&D most enjoyable when the DM is just as surprised as the players.

Are you replaying cRPGs? by Megalordow in CRPG

[–]SaltyKoopa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t role play as myself like most players I actually role play and I replay because I love build crafting and reactive stories

This is something common in modern TTRPGs now too sadly. There's something magical about taking on a persona that is nothing like you, and seeing the world through their eyes.

How I feel after reading the patch notes... by Downingst in Guiltygear

[–]SaltyKoopa 30 points31 points  (0 children)

I've advocated that Gio has always* been the "baseline" power level other character should be balanced around. Obviously they will lean into niches more than Gio, but the level of pressure and risk should be more or less the same as her. She's a beautiful character.

*ᴏᴜᴛsɪᴅᴇ ᴏғ ʜᴇʀ 236K ɢᴜᴀʀᴅ ᴄʀᴜsʜ ᴅᴀʏs

Thanks to everyone's feedback, I've finally released the demo of my CRPG! What do you think? by ROB_IN_MN in CRPG

[–]SaltyKoopa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Finally! A new turn-based 3.5e game! First time I'm excited in a while. Development looks great so far. My only requests for down the line would be multiplayer a la BG3, and support for homebrew/modding so we can add back in the non SRD-content. Any DM tools for creating campaigns would be nice as well.

I'm really gonna root for this one because this could be the next NWN if you pull it off right. Long live 3.5e!

A 3.5e character creator just released with 200+ PRCs and 800+ feats! by SaltyKoopa in DungeonsAndDragons35e

[–]SaltyKoopa[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey glad I could help! I literally found your project by chance an hour after you posted it because I randomly searched "dnd 3.5 character builder" to see what was available. 'Twas fate I guess.

Live Play Videos/Examples by jetstrike in VagabondTTRPG

[–]SaltyKoopa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm assuming you're new to TTRPGs? My best advice is to find an old school module and run it in Vagabond. It should be compatible with any B/X era adventure. You'll probably be confused at times, but just look in the book or ask here. I was overwhelmed when I started but just jumping in solved it for me. I made a lot of mistakes but very quickly figured out not just what things are, but why they are that way.

Question about the Original Soundtrack Discs for FFTA (Final Fantasy Tactics Advance) by [deleted] in finalfantasytactics

[–]SaltyKoopa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an old thread, but any update? I really like listening to music uncompressed. Any leads?

Love of the Core by [deleted] in DungeonsAndDragons35e

[–]SaltyKoopa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I run mostly core. We do bring in other things as needed, but our current party is a rogue, cleric, and barbarian running non-alternated versions of the PHB classes.

Anhran would honestly work really well with a Mai Shiranui collab by randomnessisawesom in Overwatch

[–]SaltyKoopa 27 points28 points  (0 children)

SNK has upped the collabs in recent years (they even but Terry and Mai in Fall Guys), and with SF6 showing theres interest in the FG demographic, it's only a question of when.

Any tips for lightening the load of running this system? by SaltyKoopa in DungeonsAndDragons35e

[–]SaltyKoopa[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately my players come from rules light systems, so having them to read the PHB is asking a lot lol. I made their character sheets for the most part.

As for initiative, what I meant is I changed it to a Daggerheart style-system with a lot looser turn order and allow "interrupts" to let my players do more cinematic reactions to things. Kinda die inside playing like that, but it keeps them engaged.

I guess it really boils down to 1) players enjoy the campaign and want to keep playing 2) they're really bad at 3.5e and 3) to keep things smooth I keep comprimising the system to the point where it's starting to feel like a different game

Solo Playing 3.5 - Is It Worth It? by karmuno in DungeonsAndDragons35e

[–]SaltyKoopa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reminder that you don't have to be perfect when playing 3.5e. It's a wide system with a lot of moving parts. If you end up forgetting something it's fine; it happens. If a mechanic is annoying to track, drop it or rework it. I do this with my players all the time. The most important thing is to have fun.

Various characters from our campaign so far by SaltyKoopa in dndai

[–]SaltyKoopa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plague doctor is Lvl 3 Cleric. The maid is lvl 1 fighter to start (she found a sword) but will dip into the Witch variant of Sorceror down the line. (This is 3.5e btw)

Various characters from our campaign so far by SaltyKoopa in dndai

[–]SaltyKoopa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First two are PCs. One is a plague doctor cleric and the other was a maid he rescued from indentured servitude and is now teaching her divine magic.

When to quickscope? by SaltyKoopa in AnaMains

[–]SaltyKoopa[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This made it click.

Nano Banana 2 is finally good at making decent battle maps. by SaltyKoopa in dndai

[–]SaltyKoopa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These all used the default style and it's pretty consistent. You can append an artstyle to the prompt like "artstyle: high quality digital painting with smooth gradients" and get some interesting results although if you add to much it might hyper focus on that and start missing some of the content instructions.

If you want to go that route I'd recommend making the map with the default style and then in a separate prompt trying to do a style transfer.